EP4286067A1 - Machine à laver pour récipients vides conçue pour être remplie d'un produit versable - Google Patents

Machine à laver pour récipients vides conçue pour être remplie d'un produit versable Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4286067A1
EP4286067A1 EP22176062.2A EP22176062A EP4286067A1 EP 4286067 A1 EP4286067 A1 EP 4286067A1 EP 22176062 A EP22176062 A EP 22176062A EP 4286067 A1 EP4286067 A1 EP 4286067A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tank
washing machine
extraction
sector
containers
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP22176062.2A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Andrea Solfa
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sidel Participations SAS
Original Assignee
Sidel Participations SAS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sidel Participations SAS filed Critical Sidel Participations SAS
Priority to EP22176062.2A priority Critical patent/EP4286067A1/fr
Priority to PCT/EP2023/064271 priority patent/WO2023232713A1/fr
Publication of EP4286067A1 publication Critical patent/EP4286067A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
    • B08B9/20—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought
    • B08B9/28—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought the apparatus cleaning by splash, spray, or jet application, with or without soaking
    • B08B9/30—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought the apparatus cleaning by splash, spray, or jet application, with or without soaking and having conveyors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
    • B08B3/04—Cleaning involving contact with liquid
    • B08B3/10—Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration
    • B08B3/12—Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration by sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
    • B08B3/123—Cleaning travelling work, e.g. webs, articles on a conveyor
    • B08B3/126—Cleaning travelling work, e.g. webs, articles on a conveyor in particular moving bottles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
    • B08B3/04—Cleaning involving contact with liquid
    • B08B3/10—Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration
    • B08B3/14—Removing waste, e.g. labels, from cleaning liquid; Regenerating cleaning liquids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
    • B08B9/083—Removing scrap from containers, e.g. removing labels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
    • B08B9/20—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought
    • B08B9/22—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought the apparatus cleaning by soaking alone
    • B08B9/24—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought the apparatus cleaning by soaking alone and having conveyors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a washing machine for washing (and cleaning) empty containers adapted to be filled with a pourable product, preferably a pourable food product.
  • Washing machines are known which are configured for washing and cleaning containers (usually used containers which have been emptied from the pourable product they are adapted to contain) upstream of a filling machine and a labelling machine, in which the containers are respectively filled with the pourable product and labelled with respective labels.
  • washing machine is known, e.g. from EP-A-2727660 in the name of the same Applicant.
  • a typical washing machine of the above type essentially comprises:
  • the chain conveyor comprises a plurality of beams, which are fed at the inlet station by the feeding system with respective rows of containers.
  • each beam comprises a plurality of aligned pockets organized in respective rows, each pocket being configured to receive one container to be treated at a time, to convey such container from the inlet station to the outlet station through the washing tunnel and along the washing path, and to deliver the respective washed container at the outlet station.
  • each beam is discharged of the respective washed containers at the outlet station and then is returned along a return path to the inlet station, where it receives new empty containers to be washed.
  • the treatment zones comprise, in sequence: a prewash zone, at least first and second cleaning zones, and a plurality of consecutive rinsing zones.
  • the prewash zone, the first cleaning zone, and the second cleaning zone comprise respective cleaning baths, defined by respective tanks which are filled with washing chemical agents and through which the containers are advanced.
  • Each rinsing zone comprises several rinsing baths filled with rinsing liquid and/or ejecting devices for directing sprinkles of rinsing liquid toward the containers.
  • the containers need to be treated through the cleaning zones for a relatively long time and at relatively high temperatures in order to be effectively deprived from the most encrusted dirt mounds, especially the ones heavily sedimented at the bottom of the containers themselves.
  • the ultrasonic waves propagate in water and, more in general, in a medium with a relative periodic motion with respect to the medium itself, such that local micro-zones within the medium pass periodically from a depressurized to a pressurized state.
  • Such energy may be useful to disaggregate the aforementioned encrusted dirt mounds, such that cleaning the containers results significantly eased, thus requiring less energy and/or less time.
  • WO-A-2020119958 discloses suction apparatuses, each arranged at the bottom of the tank defining the relative cleaning bath.
  • each suction apparatus is configured to suck the labels which are detached from the containers during the cleaning bath in the first or second cleaning zone and which precipitate to the bottom of the tank due to gravity and due to the pushing action exerted by the chain conveyor.
  • number 1 indicates as a whole a washing machine configured to wash empty containers 2 adapted to be filled with a pourable product, preferably a pourable food product, such as beer, wine, water, juice, soft drinks, milk or the like.
  • a pourable product such as beer, wine, water, juice, soft drinks, milk or the like.
  • containers 2 are defined by respective empty bottles (for example, returnable glass bottles) intended to be filled with the pourable product.
  • Washing machine 1 comprises:
  • the conveyor device comprises a chain conveyor 4 for advancing containers 2 along a closed-loop washing path P inside washing tunnel 3, so as to convey containers 2 from one end of the tunnel 3 to the other end along a general direction D, preferably horizontal with respect to gravity.
  • chain conveyor 4 is of the type described in WO-A-2020119958 and comprises:
  • each beam comprises a row of pockets (not shown) aligned orthogonally to path P and configured to receive corresponding containers 2.
  • containers 2 carried by a corresponding beam are aligned orthogonally to path P and housed inside the respective pockets, individually.
  • Washing machine 1 comprises also a feeding system 5 of the known type (only schematically shown in Figure 1 ) for feeding a sequence of empty containers 2 along direction D and at an inlet station I of washing tunnel 3. Expediently, containers 2 are fed by feeding system 5 along direction D arranged in rows orthogonal to path P.
  • the most forward containers 2 of each row of containers 2 are transferred by feeding system 5 to the respective pockets of the beam that is travelling at inlet station I.
  • Washing machine 1 further comprises an outfeed conveyor 6, which receives rows of cleaned containers 2 from chain conveyor 4 at an outlet station O of washing tunnel 3.
  • path P comprises:
  • washing machine 1 comprises in sequence along washing branch Q:
  • washing machine 1 at the prewash zone P1, second cleaning zone C2 and final rinsing zone H1 is well-known, for example from WO-A-2020119958 , and therefore will not be described in detail herein.
  • washing machine 1 comprises a respective tank 7 for holding a corresponding cleaning medium or agent.
  • tank 7 is filled with a cleaning agent which, in use, is brought to a temperature higher than that within the prewash zone P1, for instance between 65°C and 80°C, so that dirt on advancing containers 2 is fully removed.
  • a cleaning agent which, in use, is brought to a temperature higher than that within the prewash zone P1, for instance between 65°C and 80°C, so that dirt on advancing containers 2 is fully removed.
  • path P and particularly a portion of washing branch Q, extends within and along tank 7.
  • tank 7 defines a cleaning (hot) bath of washing machine 1 for cleaning the containers 2.
  • the prewash zone P1 and the second cleaning zone C2 comprise respective tanks 8, 10 which are filled with cleaning agents at different respective temperatures (according to a manner known and not described herein), thus defining respective further cleaning baths of washing machine 1.
  • the cleaning agents filling the respective tanks 7, 8, 10 comprise corresponding basic aqueous solutions that include, in particular, sodium hydroxide.
  • washing machine 1 comprises a hollow passage 11 which extends through tank 7 and which is fluidly isolated from tank 7.
  • path P and particularly washing branch Q, has, within tank 7, an inlet sector Q1 for advancing containers 2 in tank 7 and an outlet sector Q2 for advancing containers 2 out from tank 7.
  • hollow passage 11 extends through tank 7 in such a way to be interposed between inlet sector Q1 and outlet sector Q2.
  • hollow passage 11 defines a tunnel (e.g. an inspection and/or maintenance tunnel) accessible by a maintenance operator OP from the outside of washing machine 1.
  • a tunnel e.g. an inspection and/or maintenance tunnel
  • hollow passage 11 has a size such that the operator OP, i.e. a normal-sized person, can fit and perform inspection and/or maintenance operation therein.
  • hollow passage 11 is blind, i.e. its entrance corresponds with its exit.
  • the inspection and/or maintenance tunnel defined by hollow passage 11 is a blind tunnel or blind hole, and not a through tunnel or through hole.
  • hollow passage 11 is defined by a through hole, i.e. it extends through tank 7 from side to side.
  • washing machine 1 further comprises a pair of extraction devices 12a, 12b arranged in fluid communication with tank 7, fluidly isolated from hollow passage 11, and configured for detaching/removing labels (not shown) from the containers 2 advanced, in use, in tank 7 and for receiving the detached/removed labels, thereby extracting such labels from tank 7 (and from washing machine 1).
  • the pair of extraction devices comprises: a first extraction device 12a arranged downstream of inlet sector Q1, and a second extraction device 12b arranged downstream of first extraction device 12a and upstream of outlet sector Q2, relative to said advancement direction along path P.
  • tank 7 has an open-loop cross-section with a substantially U-shaped profile around hollow passage 11.
  • inlet sector Q1 and outlet sector Q2 extend respectively along the two free arms of the U-shaped profile.
  • path P has, within tank 7, an extraction sector Q3 connecting inlet sector Q1 and outlet sector Q2 to one another and extending along a bottom section of the U-shaped profile arranged between the two free arms, i.e. at the bottom section of the tank 7.
  • the extraction devices 12a, 12b are arranged at extraction sector Q3.
  • This configuration is particularly advantageous, due to the fact that labels could be removed also before reaching first extraction device 12a, for example due to the high temperature of the cleaning agent within tank 7.
  • extraction devices 12a, 12b at the bottom section of tank 7, the labels that have been pre-detached reach such bottom section due to gravity, and can be easily extracted thereat.
  • each extraction device 12a, 12b comprises:
  • each inlet duct 14 is associated with one respective extraction duct 13 and is arranged in a position opposite to such extraction duct 13 with respect to extraction sector Q3, for directing the removing fluid into such extraction duct 13 through tank 7.
  • washing machine 1 comprises a pumping device 15 (only schematically shown in the Figures) for feeding the removing fluid into inlet ducts 14, preferably at high pressure and/or high speed.
  • pumping device 15 is configured to recirculate the cleaning medium through inlet ducts 14 and within tank 7.
  • pumping device 15 is arranged at the aforementioned bottom section of the U-shaped profile, i.e. at the bottom part of tank 7, and in particular in a housing 16 adjacent (and below) to such bottom part of tank 7 and, therefore, to extraction sector Q3.
  • each inlet duct 14 is configured to convey the removing fluid from pumping device 15 to the relative extraction duct 13 through tank 7 (an particularly through the bottom part thereof), so that the removing fluid cooperates in contact with the containers 2 to remove, in use, the labels and directs the removed labels towards the relative extraction duct 13.
  • containers 2 are advanced between the inlet duct 14 and the extraction duct 13 of each extraction device 12a, 12b, sequentially.
  • the labels are actively removed by the action of the removing fluid fed through inlet ducts 14, and then extracted through extraction ducts 13, after being directed therein by the same action of the removing fluid. In this way, it is ensured that labels are fully removed from containers 2.
  • tank 7 is shaped such that the U-shaped profile includes two lobes 17a, 17b at the aforementioned bottom section, which lobes define respective curved opposite ends of the extraction sector Q3, as visible in particular in Figure 2 .
  • tank 7 has a profile which is substantially U-shaped, curved and lobed at the bottom.
  • each extraction duct 13 extends through one respective lobe 17a, 17b, so that each lobe 17a, 17b extends around, particularly partially surrounds, one respective extraction duct 13.
  • each inlet duct 14 is arranged in a position opposite to the extraction duct 13 associated with the inlet duct 14 itself with respect to one relative lobe 17a, 17b.
  • containers 2 advanced within and along tank 7 are first conveyed along inlet sector Q1, then along extraction sector Q3, at which labels thereof are removed and then extracted, and finally along outlet sector Q2, by which they leave tank 7.
  • hollow passage 11 has a quadrilateral shape, preferably substantially rectangular, and is surrounded by tank 7 at least at three sides thereof.
  • washing machine 1 comprises at least one ultrasonic wave generator 18a, 18b coupled to tank 7, arranged adjacent to path P extending therein, and configured to propagate ultrasonic waves through the cleaning medium such that containers 2 can receive an ultrasonic cleaning treatment during their advancement through tank 7.
  • generator 18a, 18b is of the type described in WO-A-2020119958 and comprises a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (not shown), which are conveniently plate-shaped, are configured to convert electric power into ultrasounds, and are sequentially arranged adjacent and parallel to each other along inlet sector Q1 and/or outlet sector Q2.
  • generator 18a, 18b includes:
  • Ultrasonic transducers preferably emit ultrasonic waves having an action range of at least 350 mm and a frequency between 25 kHz and 28 kHz.
  • washing machine 1 includes an electric power generator (not shown) for supplying generator 18a, 18b with electric energy and a control unit (not shown) for controlling the electric power generator.
  • an electric power generator (not shown) for supplying generator 18a, 18b with electric energy
  • a control unit (not shown) for controlling the electric power generator.
  • generator 18a, 18b includes a maintainable portion accessible from hollow passage 11 such that operator OP is able to perform maintenance operations thereon.
  • washing machine 1 preferably comprises a compartment 19 communicating, at least selectively, with hollow passage 11, the maintainable portion being housed within compartment 19 such that the operator OP is able to perform said maintenance operations on the maintainable portion by accessing compartment 19 from hollow passage 11, as schematically shown in Figure 2 .
  • tank 7 has a substantially symmetric configuration relative to a center plane C thereof, more specifically a center place C of the U-shaped profile, as visible in Figure 2 .
  • lobes 17a, 17b are arranged on opposite sides of center plane C in respective positions symmetric relative to the center plane C itself.
  • Center plane C is orthogonal to said direction D.
  • washing machine 1 ensures a more ergonomic configuration of hollow passage 11, thereby improving the working conditions of operator OP, for example during maintenance, since the components are arranged at substantially equal distances from hollow passage 11. Moreover, the architecture of washing machine 1 is more simple and compact.
  • washing machine 1 The operation of washing machine 1 is briefly described in the following.
  • Feeding system 5 advances a plurality of rows of containers 2 to be washed towards washing tunnel 3 in a manner parallel to direction D.
  • the properly positioned containers 2 are arranged with their respective longitudinal axes orthogonal to path P.
  • the beams of chain conveyor 4 withdraw (or are fed with) respective rows of containers 2 at inlet station I, advance containers 2 inside washing tunnel 3 along the washing branch Q, discharge rows of cleaned containers 2 at outlet station O onto outfeed conveyor 6, and return along return branch R devoid from containers 2.
  • containers 2 of each row are first carried by the respective pockets through prewash zone P1, then through first cleaning zone C1, then through second cleaning zone C2 and then through rinsing zone H1.
  • washing machine 1 according to the present invention will be clear from the foregoing description.
  • the peculiar conformation of tank 7, i.e. substantially U-shaped and with the two lobes 17a, 17b, provides for a longer bathing time while occupying the same space within tunnel 3. Also, the peculiar position of extraction ducts 13, substantially surrounded or "incorporated" by the lobes 17a, 17b, provides for a slender and compact architecture.
  • washing machine 1 as described herein without, however, departing from the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
EP22176062.2A 2022-05-30 2022-05-30 Machine à laver pour récipients vides conçue pour être remplie d'un produit versable Pending EP4286067A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22176062.2A EP4286067A1 (fr) 2022-05-30 2022-05-30 Machine à laver pour récipients vides conçue pour être remplie d'un produit versable
PCT/EP2023/064271 WO2023232713A1 (fr) 2022-05-30 2023-05-26 Machine à laver pour laver des récipients vides conçus pour être remplis d'un produit versable

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22176062.2A EP4286067A1 (fr) 2022-05-30 2022-05-30 Machine à laver pour récipients vides conçue pour être remplie d'un produit versable

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4286067A1 true EP4286067A1 (fr) 2023-12-06

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP22176062.2A Pending EP4286067A1 (fr) 2022-05-30 2022-05-30 Machine à laver pour récipients vides conçue pour être remplie d'un produit versable

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EP (1) EP4286067A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2023232713A1 (fr)

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5771094U (fr) * 1980-10-17 1982-04-30
DE19502272A1 (de) * 1995-01-26 1996-08-01 Kronseder Maschf Krones Flaschenreinigungsmaschine in Einendbauweise
DE19650944C1 (de) * 1996-12-07 1998-06-04 Kronseder Maschf Krones Flaschenreinigungsmaschine in Doppelendbauweise
DE19916230A1 (de) * 1999-04-10 2000-10-26 Sasib Beverage Deutschland Gmb Etikettenabscheider für Flaschenreinigungsmaschinen
EP2727660A1 (fr) 2012-11-05 2014-05-07 Sidel S.p.A. Con Socio Unico Unité de traitement de récipients et procédé pour la reconfiguration d'une unité de traitement de récipients
WO2020119958A1 (fr) 2018-12-13 2020-06-18 Sidel End Of Line & Tunnels Solutions Srl Machine à laver pour laver des récipients vides et son procédé de fonctionnement

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5771094U (fr) * 1980-10-17 1982-04-30
DE19502272A1 (de) * 1995-01-26 1996-08-01 Kronseder Maschf Krones Flaschenreinigungsmaschine in Einendbauweise
DE19650944C1 (de) * 1996-12-07 1998-06-04 Kronseder Maschf Krones Flaschenreinigungsmaschine in Doppelendbauweise
DE19916230A1 (de) * 1999-04-10 2000-10-26 Sasib Beverage Deutschland Gmb Etikettenabscheider für Flaschenreinigungsmaschinen
EP2727660A1 (fr) 2012-11-05 2014-05-07 Sidel S.p.A. Con Socio Unico Unité de traitement de récipients et procédé pour la reconfiguration d'une unité de traitement de récipients
WO2020119958A1 (fr) 2018-12-13 2020-06-18 Sidel End Of Line & Tunnels Solutions Srl Machine à laver pour laver des récipients vides et son procédé de fonctionnement

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2023232713A1 (fr) 2023-12-07

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